PowerPoint Presentation

Making Presentations Accessible for the Visually Impaired and Blind1Low Vision AccessibilityBIGBOLDCONTRAST

Formatting for Enhanced Print:

18 point or larger text1.25 spacing between linesMargins flush left and rag rightBlock paragraphs, no indentsSan serif font, wide bodiedNo columnsLines of text average 39 charactersUse of color and/or b/w line drawingsComplete guidelines available at:www.aph.org/edresearch/lpguide.htm

Elaine Kitchel, American Printing House for the BlindTypical FontSerif Font can be more difficult to readSerif (projections) can cause letters to appear to blend togetherExamples Include:Bodini MTLucida BrightTimes New RomanPreferred FontVerdanaAntique OliveTahomaArialAPHont

Sans Serif Font is more readable Examples include:Point SizesHeadings should be 32 point or larger (22 point for web pages)Subheadings should be 30 point or larger (20 point for web pages)Text should be 28 point or larger (18 point for web pages)KISS and MakeupKeep it simpleWhen considering the design of your PowerPoint, think of the makeup of your slidesBackgroundNumber of colors usedWhich colorsGrayscale vs color vs b&w

Is this easier to read?Or is this easier to read? BackgroundBackground with complex pictures or graphics make it difficult to read textBackground should be one color, devoid of graphics Two-color gradient is acceptable if one color is white and the other a light pastel or if the two colors are adjacent on the color wheel.

Elaine Kitchel, American Printing House for the BlindUse of ColorNumber of Colors?2 to 3 Basically background color and text colorAdditional color(s) may be related to graph or imageWhich Colors?Not personal preferenceContrast

Which colorsText & background should be of high contrast

If the text is dark, the background should be light.If the text is light, the background should be dark.Elaine Kitchel, American Printing House for the BlindSome good text/backgroundcolor combinations are:Black and whiteYellow and violetDark blue and yellowDark red and whiteDark green and whiteDark blue and whiteBlack and yellowViolet and whitePink and blackElaine Kitchel, American Printing House for the BlindBecause they provide poor contrast,certain colors should not be used togethereither as graphic features, background or text:Red and greenRed and blackBlue and blackGreen and blackViolet and blackDark blue and violetTwo values of the same colorElaine Kitchel, American Printing House for the BlindGrayscale vs color vs b&w Shades of gray should not be used together either as graphic features, background or text because there is almost no contrast

Gradations of gray are not as easily distinguishable to one with low vision

Low Vision PerceptionAs presentedLow Vision PreferredIf color is not possible, clean black-and-white illustrations are preferred.

No Grayscale!

Elaine Kitchel, American Printing House for the BlindHighlighting When highlighting, avoid italicsItalics create crowding and change the shape of wordsInstead consider using Underscoring, enclosing in quotation marks,or bolding to highlight an important point

Print Disability AccessibilityFor the print disabled or braille userEven for those with dyslexiaPrimarily an auditory learnerCommunication StyleBe DescriptiveAudio Cueing

Communication StyleSpeak clearly.And avoid speaking too fast, so participants and sign language interpreters can better understand you and keep up.Use simple language.Avoid or explain jargon, acronyms, and idioms. For example, expressions such as "raising the bar" can be interpreted literally by some people with cognitive disabilities and can be confusing.Give people time to process information.Pause between topics. When you ask if anyone has questions, some people with cognitive disabilities will need extra time to form their thoughts into words.

Communication Style ContinuedBe visible.Also be in good light so participants can see your face when you talk, which helps some people hear and understand better. Especially when you don't have a microphone, be careful not to face away from the audience to read projected material.Use a microphone.Even in a small room, some people might need the audio electronically. Note that if you ask "Can everyone hear me OK?" some people might be uncomfortable saying that they cannot.Ensure that all relevant sound is audible through the sound system.For example, if the audience doesn't have a microphone, repeat their questions and comments into your microphone before replying.Be DescriptiveCover all displayed text.Say all of the information that is on each slide. (This does not mean that you have to read the slide exactly as it is, it just means that you cover the visual information in what you say.)Describe pertinent parts of graphics, videos, and other visuals.Describe them to the extent needed to understand the presentation. (You usually do not need to describe decorative images.)Describe other visual information.For example, if you ask a question of the audience, summarize the response, such as, Speaker: "If you make your websites fully accessible, please raise your hand."...then: "About half raised their hand."

World Wide Web conference: Web Accessibility Initiative / http://www.w3.org/WAI/training/accessibleAudible CueSlide transitions with sound can help the listener understand when the presenter is moving on to the next slideClickWhooshChimeCamera

HandoutsOne of two slides per page is preferredIf possible, provide electronically prior to presentation, HTML or RTF, MS WordParticipant can access electronic document through screen-reader softwareIf possible, provide hard copy large print or braille handout at onset of presentationPreparing for LP & Braille Select all slidesClick office button (top left corner) Select Publish Select create handouts in MS Office WordWord opens up with PPT informationEdit and reformat (# the slide, text caption)Sans Serif and font point size of at least 18Braille: replace bullet points with asterisks

Sharing PPT & the WebPPT 2003Right click imageSelect format pictureChoose web tabType in alternate text boxSelect OK

PPT 2007Right click imageSelect size & PositionSelect Alt Text TabDelete default textType in alternate text

PPT 2007Right click imageSelect format pictureChoose Alt textIgnore title fieldType in description field

Additional ConsiderationsHeavy use of charts-consider access to original PPT Original should contain spreadsheet for chartConsider embedding links to access the spreadsheet used to create the chartPPT 2010Accessibility CheckerAdobe Add-on with Acc. Enabling & tagged PDFOnly as accessible as original documentation (alt text)Disease typesMendelian disorder: Due to defect in a single geneColor of Mendels peasExample: Huntingtons disease, certain retinal and corneal dystrophies, various types of ocular albinism

Complex disease: Risk influenced by many genes, environmental factors, and other interactionsMendels pea soupExample: Alzheimer disease, progressive open angle glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, myopia

28ResourcesHow to create descriptive text for graphs, charts and diagramshttp://www.cew.wisc.edu/accessibility/tutorials/descriptionTutorial.htm

Accessibility Guidelines for PowerPoint Presentationshttp://www.aerbvi.org/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=27Guidelines for the Development of PowerPoint Presentations for Audiences that may Include Persons with Low Visionby Elaine Kitchelhttp://www.aph.org/tests/ppguide.html

Resources ContinuedGuidelines for Development of PowerPoint Presentations (PPT file) http://www.aph.org/edresearch/#research-resourcesGuidelines for Print Document Design (for persons with low vision)http://www.aph.org/edresearch/lpguide.htmAER Webinar http://mangold.aerbvi.org/AERGuidelinesforAccessiblePowerPointPresentations.mp4Food For ThoughtRemember, what you do to make your presentation accessible for the person with low vision (or blindness) will ultimately make it more readable (and accessible) for everyone.Elaine Kitchel, American Printing House for the Blind